TA officer intake to almost triple by 2015

12 October 2012

The number of officers to be directly recruited by the Territorial Army is set to almost triple in the next two years, it has been revealed.

While 91 officers are set to be recruited directly into the TA in 2012/13, that figure is set to rise to 240 a year by 2014, according to figures revealed by Veterans Minister Mark Francois.

The number of trained reservists is set to double to around 30,000 by 2020, and changes in legislation are currently being considered to improve the 'deal' between the government and employers of reservists.

In response to a Parliamentary question by MP Nicholas Soames, Francois said that the Territorial Army expected to meet its direct recruiting target of 91 officers for the current financial year thanks, in large part, to a £5m Territorial Army advertising campaign and a  "relatively high" level of interest from applicants.

The size of future recruitment advertising campaigns was still being determined, Francois said, but the reserves will look to directly recruit 155 officers next year and 240 a year from 2014 to 2016.

Francois said that the efficiency of the officer training "pipeline" had improved since a major review in 2011.

"We have also allocated an additional £1.8bn over 10 years to ensure that reservists will receive the equipment and the training they need to meet their future roles," he said.

"The importance of retaining individuals who have been recruited and trained is fully appreciated and prioritised accordingly.

"The Ministry of Defence is engaging in a consultation process focusing on defence's relationship with employers and how the mutual needs of the employer, reservist employee and defence can best be accommodated. The consultation will consider the potential need for changes to legislation and the terms and conditions under which reservists serve."